Welcome to The Check-In, our weekend travel feature.
Should passengers tip flight attendants?
They’ll show you where the emergency exits are, make sure you always have a cup of ginger ale, and give you an extra bag of pretzels if you ask for them. Flight attendants do a lot to ensure travelers’ safety and comfort, but tipping for good service is not the norm. Should passengers slip them $20 for a job well done?
Conde Nast Traveler spoke to several current and former flight attendants about tips and noted that some airlines advise refusing tips and gifts when first presented, but accepting them if the passenger pushes the matter further. Sarah, a flight attendant based in New York, shared that she received Starbucks gift cards and chocolates as thanks from passengers, which she really appreciated. “I wish it was more customary and customary to tip in some way,” Sarah said, particularly in first class where “the experience is exactly like a restaurant. If you think you should tip at a restaurant, you should tip air.”
Flight attendants are there first and foremost to keep passengers safe, said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA CN Traveler, and “Tipping undermines our roles.” Passengers who tip flight attendants can expect preferential treatment on board, and that’s a line not to be crossed. Instead of tipping, Nelson says passengers can show their appreciation with a smile. “We love it when people just look up from their phone and say hello person to person as they board the plane,” she added.
encounter turbulence? Keep calm and put on your seat belt
On Sunday, 36 people were injured on a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Phoenix to Honolulu when their plane encountered severe turbulence. Officials said at least 20 were taken to local hospitals after landing and injuries included “a serious head injury, lacerations, bruising and loss of consciousness.”
Turbulence can be caused by anything from thunderstorms to atmospheric pressure, and it’s rare for flyers to encounter turbulence strong enough to cause injury. Experts say to reduce the risk of injury, listen to flight crew instructions and wear your seat belt at all times; In the U.S., an average of 58 injuries are reported each year because people are not buckled up during turbulence, the Federal Aviation Administration reports. If things get bumpy, try to calm down by taking deep breaths or meditating. Distractions are also helpful – watch a movie on the inflight entertainment system or grab your phone and listen to a podcast.
What to think about if your flight is canceled or delayed
With a major storm system set to hit the Plains, Great Lakes, Northeast and other parts of the United States before Christmas, many travelers could find their flights canceled or delayed because of dangerous weather conditions. Experts say it’s a good idea to prepare for this scenario so you know what to do if you get stuck.
Check your flight status before you even leave for the airport – it’s less stressful to change a flight from home. If a flight is canceled at the airport, quickly get in line to speak to an airline agent. Also, while you’re waiting, call the airline if you can get through faster that way. Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights, told CNN if the US customer service phone line is having a long wait, consider calling the Canadian hotline. “You might get an agent a lot quicker,” he said. “You can handle all your reservations the same way.” If you’re actually talking to another human being, keep your cool — the agent didn’t cancel your flight and will be more willing to work with you if you’re nice.
If you’re stuck at your intermediate airport and have nowhere to go, go to a lounge if you have access. There is no law requiring airlines to issue hotel vouchers, Keyes said, and travelers are more likely to receive vouchers if their flight was canceled due to mechanical or staffing issues, as opposed to the weather. Check your airline’s policies so you know exactly what to expect, and don’t be afraid to ask for meal or room vouchers. Remember that passengers are entitled to a refund of ticket prices and/or associated fees in certain situations, including flight schedule changes or significant delays. Visit the Department of Transportation’s website for more information.
5 Star Gift Ideas: Last Minute Options
You’re Yes, really cut it tight. If you don’t feel like braving the mall or going the DIY route, your best bet is to get yourself a gift card. For frequent travelers, the safest way is to get them a gift card for their preferred airline, cruise line, or rideshare. If you know a trip is coming up, consider a gift certificate to a reputable restaurant in your destination — and if you’ve recently returned from vacation and are raving about a meal, see if the company has one of their specialties in the mail can send . Visit Goldbelly, where you can order everything from New York bagels and pizza to Chicago Italian beef sandwiches.
Plan accordingly: events to add to your calendar
That’s actually two closures you need to consider before it’s too late to visit these special exhibitions.
At the de Young Museum in San Francisco, Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs runs until February 12, 2023. This dazzling display of 181 ancient Egyptian artifacts includes royal sculptures and masks, gold jewelry, sarcophagi, amulets, mummified animals and more from the Time of the mighty Ramses II. To delve even deeper into his extravagant world, add the virtual reality experience Ramses & Nefertari: Journey to Osiris, an immersive tour of Nefertari’s tomb and Abu Simbel.
Now, in its last few weeks, Art of the Hollywood Backdrop: Cinema’s Creative Legacy is showcasing 22 huge scenic backdrops from films shot between 1938 and 1968 at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. They were painted specifically for how they would look on camera, and The Museum says visitors enjoy viewing the scenes with the naked eye and then viewing them through the lens of their camera phone. The exhibition, which ends on January 22, 2023, shows the backdrop of the Austrian Alps to the public for the first time the sound of music; North for NorthwestMount Rushmore; and ben Huris Rome.
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